Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-22
Convict Labor Oh the Streets.

THE COMMISSIONERS ANSWER THE PROTEST OF THE
LABOR UNIONS.
The District Commissioners have addressed a
letter to Mr.. Thomas s. Denham, president OF the
Federation or Labor, responding to protest made
by the Federation against the employment OF con-
Wet labor from the workhouse upon the streets
The commissioners say the act OF April D. lS47
states with regard to Migrants and persons COM
mitted under the operation OF law TO the work.
house and house Of correction, that all such persons
committed as aforesaid are TO be employed in some
useful work. The Commissioners letter says:
1.-The employment OF these people upon such use
fui work as they are able to perform IS therefore
simply In conformity with the explicit require
ments OF the law with regard TO which the Com
iSSloners have no option but to direct its enforce
ment. The effects OF the law, as was no doubt IN
tended, mainly two-firSt, the persons com
mitted TO the wOrkhouse as punishment for mis-
delneanors, diSordery conduct or vagrancy are
thereby compelled 10 contribute to their own sup
port and TO relieve the community OF the cost OF
maintaining them in idleness; second the number
OF such persons supported out of the public funds
Is reduced TO the minimum as the prospect Of being
employed at useful labor Is precisely the one
which the average yagrant most breads. Were
persons OF this class permitted to be entirely idle
rendering no return TO the public for their food
raimen and lodging it is probable that the entire
District revenues would be presently Insufficient
TO provide quarters and provisions for the persons
who would seek the shelter OF such institutions
While the commissioners as such are with
out discretion In securing the enforcement
o, n the law; IL may be as well to state that in
one and that the charge OF maintenance OF
idle, worthless and absolute persons should
not be imposed upon community, which is
IN all cases the worst for their presence and that
their suitable and useful employment Is desirable
both In the public interest and in that OF the indl-
vidualS themselves. An incidental result accru-
ing from the labor of those people is that large
amount OF rough work gets itself done In the
course or the year, TO the benefit of the District
interests at large ana at no cost to the District
treasury. Were this work not done in this way it
could not be done at ALL and the labor of the work.
house gang In cleaning and regulating alleys and
streets Is necessary Tor the health and advantage
OF the people OF the District particularly it is
usually done in portions OF the city where the
chief benefictarieS are Of the laboring classes
themselves.
IL is not clearly understood therefore what Oh
Jectlon Sel-reSpecting mechanic or labOrer could
nave TO the employment Of these people In labor
which 1nureS TO his Own advantage and when the
non-dong OF which would be not only to his own
personal detrment, but Involve to him his propor-
lion OF the cost of maintaining in tdleness an alb
soiutely worthless member Of the community
LAST SEEN ALIvEATA OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES after.
noon coroner Patterson viewed the body OF Cath
crime Harrington, who was found dead in her room
at 1OO2 7th street southeast yesterday morning
The last time she had been seen alive was at a
wake In the neighbOrhOOd OF her residence above
shortly after her return home that night The
coroner learned that She had lived in Washington
Tor some years, and was In the habit of occasion.
ally drinking TO excess. No inquest was held.
Mr.. s. T. SHUMAN. who painted the portraits OF
Father Berott, john Mccullough, &C.. which have
been on exhibition in this city, win sell fine col
auction ROOMS, 657 Louisiana avenue Wednesday
EeDruary, at IL o'clock.